Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Savoy , from Taj Mahal and it is a radical departure from his earlier releases with blues related jazz tracks from the earlier part of the past century. Opening with Ellingston's, Stompin' At The Savoy, Taj Mahal lays back and swings on vocals surrounded by period correct vocal backing by Carla Holbrook, Leesa Humphrey and Charlotte McKinnon. The band is tight with Erik Jekabson on trumpet, Mike Rinta on trombone, Sheldon Brown on clarinet and sax and a strong sax solo by Charles McNeal. Danny Caron on guitar, Ruth Davies on bass, John Simon on piano and Leon Joyce Jr. on drums. On Gershwin's Summertime, Mahal pushes the pace up and with a simple rimshot by Joyce and swinging vocal by Mahal, this track is cool. Lincoln Adler really lays out a strong sax solo and Caron on guitar hits the guitar just right backed by Jekabson on trumpet and Brown on sax. Possibly my favorite tack on the release. Maria Muldaur jo...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ridin' , from Eric Bibb and it's a good one. Opening with Family , Bibb really has it going here. With a cool bass line creating an apprehensive sense and his rich vocals and great backing vocals, this is an excellent opener.  Shuffle, The Ballad of John Howard Griffin , featuring Russell Malone, has a cool slickness with jazzy guitar chords and lead. With a tall tale, this track is introspective and positive. Country style blues, Call Me By My Name features Harrison Kennedy, on vocal and guitar trading with Bibb. This is a strong track reviewing the slave plight of human recognition. Wrapping the release is Church Bells , a cool acoustic guitar outro backed by fiddle and bass. Bibb has his own style and his own theme and that's what makes him Bibb. Very nice.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like --...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Motel Mississippi , from Tony Holiday and it's quite good. Opening with Rob & Steal , a contemporary take on the sound of thumping drums and floating guitar riffs that I associate with Hill Country music. Tony Holiday on vocal, A J Fullerton on guitar, Dave Gross on guitar, Aubrey McCrady  on guitar, Victor Wainwright on keys, Terrance Grayson on bass, and Lee Williams Jr. on drums, this is an excellent opener. With a classic Willie Dixon bass line by Grayson, and a modern mix, Trouble is really a cool track. Holiday's vocals are strong and harmonica by Jake Friel, wild keyboard soloing by Wainwright and eccentric guitar riffs really add a lot spice to this track. Very nice. Asie Payton's Nobody But You has a great southern R&B feel (think Polk Salad Annie) with smooth vocals and choppy guitar riffs contrasting with windblown slide guitar. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Yazoo River with it's ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Third Degree Gravity , by Eric Heideman and it shows strong songwriting and execution. Opening with I Didn't Do It , a rocking boogie, Eric Heideman on lead vocal and guitar gets the track moving with Victor Wainwright on vocal and and keys, Michael Bram on drums and Matt Raymond on bass. Solid rocking opener. With Latin beat, You're Pushing Me , is snare heavy with Bram setting the pace and excellent vocal by Heideman and cool guitar riffs by JW - Jones. Howlin' Wind has a real nice melody and solid acoustic slide work by Heideman giving the track an eerie bluesy feel. My favorite track on the release is Say You Mean It Baby with a bluesy framework and strong vocals by Heideman, over the powerful piano work of Wainwright and articulate guitar phrasing by Heideman. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Turn Out Fine , a radio oriented ballad with a sweet melody. Accompanied by slide resonator and Dave Gross on o...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release from the Pacific Jazz Group and it's a cool new set of west coast style jazz tracks. Opening with Bernie Miller's, Bernie's Tune , Dred Scott on piano sets the pace with quickly formed solo lines with strong reinforcement by John Wiitala on bass. Eric Crystal steps up on tenor sax with an aggressive solo of his own making this a strong opener. On Gerry Mulligan's Line for Lyons , Crystal lays out the groundwork on sax and Scott taking the first solo on piano. Sharing the center stage, they create a uniform feel with great musical balance. Another Mulligan track, Nights At The Turntable , gives Crystal the opportunity to really stretch. He has real full tone and his phrasing really works with the band. Scott on piano takes a cool stroll giving the track a lighter feel but maintaining that Mulligan swing. Wrapping the release is Utter Chaos and Crystal gives it the full treatment with deep raspy t...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Recipe For The Blues , by Lady Adrena and it's a solid blend of soul, rock, blues and R&B. Opening with Blues Chose Me , Lady Adrena on vocal and guitar gets things going with a strutting track featuring power vocals and tight guitar riffs over keys and thumping drums. Stinging guitar riffs lead the way on Traveling Woman with great vocals by Adrena and drums and bass highlighting the strutting nature of the track. Very cool. Shuffle track, No Ring No Thang really has a moving bass line and Adrena with solid key work behind the vocal harmony. A cool guitar solo punches up the track and a nice piano solo adds nicely as well. Wrapping the release is slow, blues ballad, Recipe For The Blues , and Adrena digs deep for the grittiest of her vocals on the release. With understated guitar work, warm organ and nicely stated piano, this is a cool closer for the release.      If you support live Blues acts...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, What Key Is Trouble In? , from Nick Schnebelen and he on top of his game. Opening with blues rocker, Ten Years After, Fifty Years Later , my man Alvin Lee is called to mind with it's driving power and effortless rocking. Nick Schnebelen on lead vocal and guitar really understands this style and doesn't copy Lee but has his energy with his own riffs and melodies. A great rocking blues. On title track, What Key Is Trouble In? , Nick really hits the R&B groove along the lines of Wilson Pickett, with excellent Albert King like guitar riffs. This is an excellent track with plenty of room to move. Backed by Cliff Moore on bass, Adam Hagerman on drums, Red Young on keys and Aaron Mayfield on organ, this is a tight band. Shuffle track, Pain Aside , has a real nice feel and showcases Nicks vocals nicely. With Moore's tight bass line and inventive blues attacks from Nick, this is a really cool track. Driving boogie, ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Is Calling Me , from Leonard "Lowdown" Brown and it's a soulful blues release. Opening with R&B style track, Juke Joint , Brown on vocal and guitar with a good bass line and light drum rhythms. It has a smooth soulful delivery and certain radio appeal. French Quarter Woman is a cool soul tune that literally  glides. Brown's vocals are terrific and with a solid bass line, this track could be right off of a 60's soul release. Based on a Sonny Boy Williamson riff, Blues Make Me Feel Good , is a really nice track with the bass line dictating not only the tempo but the overall feel with Brown alternating back and forth on guitar and vocal. This is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Title track, Blue Is Calling Me , has a more contemporary, R&B feel with a very danceable rhythm. Wrapping the release is Mississippi Fred McDowell's, You Gotta Move . Brown puts a cool, low slung spiri...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Keep On Moving , from Deuce 'n a Quarter and it has a little bit for everyone. Opening with Swinging At The Blues , a cool shuffle, features Brian Peters on lead vocal and harmonica and he has a great voice. With crisp riffs by Keith Colbert on guitar, Andre Scott on  drums, Martin O. Brown on bass and Brandon Adams on keys, this is a solid opener. I like rocker, Same Old Blues with it's blend of garage band rock and blues. Colbert's guitar work is really a strong anchor on this track and it's format makes it a good candidate for rock radio. Boogie, All She Wrote really chugs along with Peters on lead vocal and solid harmonica soloing. Kenny Neal adds guitar work and Brown's bass work really sets the pace.  Sun Kissed Wheat is a standout track on the release with it's Delta styling and showcasing Peters' harmonica and vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is ballad, Why with Peters on lead...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Commitment , from Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet and it's strong. Opening with Takin' It There , this release comes alive with Randy Brecker upfront on trumpet, with Jae Sinnett really bringing it on drums. This track is vital with excellent sax work by Steve Wilson, Terry Burrell on bass and piano by Allen Farnham on piano. Excellent opener. Laying back in 3/4 time, Brecker lays out the beautiful melody of Simone , with a light and tight backing by Farnham and Sinnett. With Burrell keeping a firm hand on the groove, Farnham takes a nice very stretch on piano with Brecker closing the loop on trumpet. Very very nice. Muhammara's Dance is an excellent showcase for Sinnett with it's ultra funky drum work. Farnham further enhances the percussive nature of the track with a really cool piano interlude and Brecker's trumpet soloing really is strong. Excellent track. Wilson's sax interpretation of Be...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue House , from Marc Ciprut and it's really cool mix or rock, R&B and jazz. Opening with Roll It Out , Marc Ciprut on guitar leads the way, joined by Jeremy Manasia on Wurlitzer, Etienne Lytle on organ and Tommi Rautiainen on drums creating a soulful Al Green feel with fluid guitar lead. Nice opener. Shaggy has a contemporary funk feel with Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Jon Cowherd on Wurlitzer and organ. Using a wah pedal, Ciprut creates a really nice groove with Haslip, Coward and Rautiainen working a great weave. Wrapping the release is Kiss You Again with varying time shifts and Ciprut playing it straight with Rauianinen and  Lytle against Ciprut's own adverse bass line. Very cool closer for a solid release.      If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, XYZ , from Jeff Richman and it's quite good. Opening with title track, XYZ , Jeff Richman on guitar is joined by top players, George Whitty on keys, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Jimmy Haslip on bass. With the incredible duo of Haslip and Colaiuta laying down a clean, funky rhythm, Richman weaves a lush flowing melody. Strong opener. On Optamystical , Richman slowly builds depth and breadth on a McLaughlin type guitar pattern paired with Whitty on keys not unlike Beck and Hammer, before breaking into a more melodic refrain with exceptional drum work underpinnings by Colaiuta. Excellent!  Left Right Here is low slung with a cool yet funky bass line and Richman laying down a smooth melody over Whitty's horn like keyboard work. Richman's lead lines are creative and flowing. With it's jagged rhythm underpinnings, Likewise , is another really nice track with Mitchell Formen on keys and with Colaiuta adding in of...

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC , from Popa Chubby and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Neil Young's driving Motorcycle Mama, Chubby on lead vocal and guitar lays down a real cool rhythm reinforced by Michael Merritt on bass, Mike Dimeo on keys and Stefano Giudici on drums. With it's rock N' roll feel and rhythmatic approach on lead. this is a solid opener. On Hey Joe (you all know the track), PC keeps the original arrangement but of course puts his own signature on the guitar work. Using Hendrix like phrase reinforcement and with a tight rhythm by Giudici on drums, this is a strong concert track. After building to a frenzy, the track quiets under the improvised melody by Dimeo on keys, and closing under the firepower of PC. With a Latin feel and surf phrasing, 69 Dollars this track really got the  crowd moving. Another original, Grown Man Crying Blues is a lumbering track with a drone bass line...

  I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Far Enough , from Jimmie Bratcher and it's a lively new entry. Opening with swampy title track, Far Enough , Jimmie Bratcher on lead vocal and guitar gets this party moving. With a funky blues rhythm by Craig Kew on bass, Brandon Draper on drums and Aaron Mayfield on organ, excellent steel guitar work by Eric Stark and super backing by Charity Von Mozafari and Charmelle Cofield this track is a great start. With a full horn entourage of Bob Harvey and Steve Molloy on trumpet, Mark Cohick on bari sax, Brett Jackson on tenor sax, create a backing suitable for Mr. Boogaloo himself, Bratcher on lead vocal tells the story of Memphis Slim . Claptonesque guitar lead and a moving bass line give this track plenty of feel. R&B track, Why Is It We Don't Dance Anymore has a great melody by Bratcher on vocal and with a hot bass line by Kew and the punchy horn section, with a tight solo by Cohick, this track is perfect for ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Behind The Veil , from Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind , and as always it's a feast for the ears. Opening with Casco Bay with it's waltz tempo has a really cool swagger. Ricci on lead vocal and dynamic harmonica tone sets the pace with Kaitlin Dibble on backing vocal, Brent Johnson on guitar and backing vocal, Jack Joshua on bass and vocal and John Perkins on backing vocal makes this a really interesting opener. Switching to New Orleans R&B sound on 5-10-15 , Dibble has the lead on vocal, a really strong harmonica solo by Ricci and Kid Andersen's guitar work really set this track apart. Very nice. Bobby Rush's Ain't She Fine is a great track with an aggressive, funky rock beat. I love the lead vocal lines and Johnson's guitar work in concert with Joshua on bass and Perkins on drums, all wrapped by Ricci on harp is terrific. Classic, St James Infirmary is a smart pick for this band giving Ricci a ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Walking Heart Attack , from Johnny Rawls , and it's a full helping of soulful blues. Opening with title track, Walking Heart Attack , Johnny Rawls is wading in James Brown territory with sweaty funk. Joined by Dan Ferguson on keys, Richy Puga on drums, Johnny McGhee on guitar, Bob Trenchard on bass, Andy Roman on sax, Nick Flood on Baari sax, Mike Middleton on trumpet and Frank Otero on trombone, this is a solid opener. Tell Me The Truth is pumped up bluesy guitar riffs by McGhee and great horn punctuation by Flood, Middleton and Otero. My favorite track on the release is Johnny Copeland's soulful, Born All Over , featuring Rawls vocals and nicely complimented by Janelle Thompson and Shakara Weston on backing vocals. Wrapping the release is radio focused, Mississippi Dreams with it's supple melody and warm instrumentation. Ferguson on keys, Puga on drums, McGhee on guitar, Trenchard on bass, a solid sax solo b...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1 , from Kenny Wayne Shepherd and it's a solid blues rocker with plenty of radio potential. Opening with title track, Dirt On My Diamonds , Kenny Wayne Shepherd is back with his excellent vocals, tuneful melodies showing excellent swagger. With full horn/synthesized backing, Shepherd pours on his blistering guitar solos but just enough to wet your appetite. Funky, Best of Times , had a real nice bass line that plays against a horn line and Shepherd carries the melody vocally. With his guitar pumped through a wah pedal it really ties the funky rhythm with his bluesy attitude. Another pop track with its funky salting is Man on a Mission featuring Shepherd on vocal and keyboard backing complimenting Shepherd's rhythm guitar and drums. There's no lack of talent by KWS on guitar as he plays free flowing solos reminiscent of traditional southern rock. Wrapping the release is Ease My Mind wi...